• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.369-373
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• 2015

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cellulose concentration in diets containing no phosphorus (P) on the basal endogenous loss (BEL) of P in growing pigs. Twelve barrows (an initial mean body weight = $49.6{\pm}3.2kg$) were individually housed in metabolism crates. Pigs were allotted to 4 experimental diets according to a cross-over design with 12 animals and 2 periods. Four P-free diets were mainly based on corn starch, sucrose, and gelatin, and were formulated to contain 0%, 4%, 8%, or 12% cellulose. Each period consisted of a 5-d adaptation and a 5-d collection period. The marker-to-marker method was used for fecal collection. The feed intake (p<0.05, linear and quadratic) and dry feces output (p<0.01, linear and quadratic) were increased with increasing dietary cellulose concentration. However, P concentration in the feces was decreased (p<0.01, linear and quadratic) with increasing dietary cellulose concentration. There was no significant difference in total P output and the BEL of P as mg per kg DMI (ranging from 157 to 214 mg/kg of dry matter intake) among experimental diets. However, values for the apparent total tract digestibility of energy, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and calcium were linearly decreased (p<0.01) with increasing cellulose concentration in the diet. In conclusion, dietary cellulose affected the amount of feces and digestibility of energy and nutrients, but did not affect the endogenous loss of P.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1207-1213
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of lacquer (Rhus verniciflua Stokes) meal on the growth performance, carcass traits, fatty acid profile and meat quality of longissmuss dorsi (LD) muscle in finishing pigs. Pigs (n = 117; Landrace$\times$Yorkshire$\times$Duroc; initial body weight $80{\pm}0.4kg$) were allotted to three dietary treatments and fed lacquer at 0, 2 and 4% of the diet for five weeks. Inclusion of lacquer meal in the diets of pigs had no influence on their growth performance, carcass yield, loin eye area and fat free lean; however, pigs fed lacquer diets had lower backfat (linear, p = 0.006; quadratic, p = 0.004). Pigs fed increasing levels of lacquer meal had lower moisture (linear, p<0.001; quadratic, p = 0.008), crude fat (linear, p<0.001) and crude protein (linear, p<0.001; quadratic, p = 0.002) in LD muscle. The LD muscle of pigs fed lacquer meal had lower pH (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) at 6, 8 and 10 days, and linearly lower thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, p<0.01) at 8 and 10 days and water holding capacity (WHC, p<0.05) at 3, 6, 8 and 10 days. The fatty acid composition of LD muscle revealed linearly lower stearic (p = 0.034) and total saturated fatty acid (p = 0.049) with increasing dietary lacquer meal levels. In general, higher lightness, redness and yellowness values were observed in LD muscle of pigs fed 2% lacquer meal on day 0 and subsequently on 3, 6, 8 and 10 days of refrigerated storage. The results of the current study suggest that lacquer meal can be incorporated up to 4% in the diet of finishing pigs without any adverse effects on performance; moreover, improvements in the meat quality during refrigerated storage can be obtained by inclusion of lacquer meal in the diet of finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.965-972
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• 2020

Objective: Astragalus membranaceus root is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine with many biological active constituents. This study was conducted to examine the effects of Astragalus membranaceus root powder (AMP) on growth performance, serum antioxidant and immune response in finishing lambs. Methods: A total of thirty-six Guangling fat-tailed ram lambs (body weight = 19±2 kg, mean±standard deviation) were randomly assigned to one of six treatments for a 40 d feeding period, with the first 10 d for adaptation. Treatments consisted of the lambs' basal diets with addition of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 g/kg of diet of AMP. Results: Response to supplementation level of AMP was quadratic (p≤0.032) for final weight and ADG with the greatest at 10 g/kg of diet, but dry matter intake was not affected (p≥0.227) by treatments. The increase of AMP supplementation resulted in a quadratic response in contents of triglyceride and creatinine (p<0.05), with the lowest values for 10 and 20 g/kg of diet, respectively. A linear and quadratic decrease was observed in activity of alkaline phosphatase in serum of lambs. As the AMP supplementation increased, the activities of total superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity increased linearly (p≤0.018) and hydroxyl radical (OH^-) decreased linearly (p = 0.002). For catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA), quadratic (p≤0.001) effects were observed among treatments, with the greatest CAT and lowest MDA values at 10 g/kg AMP. Additionally, supplementing AMP up to a level of 10 or 15 g/kg of diet quadratically increased immunoglobulin and interleukin contents in the serum. Conclusion: The results indicated that AMP can be used as natural feed additive in the ration of lambs to improve ADG, antioxidant status, and immune functions, and the optimal dose was 10 g/kg of diet under the condition of this experiment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1614-1621
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graded levels of montmorillonite, a constituent of clay, on performance, hematological parameters and bone mineralization in weaned pigs. One hundred and twenty, 35-d-old crossbred pigs (Duroc${\times}$Large White${\times}$Landrace, $10.50{\pm}1.20$ kg) were used in a 28-d experiment and fed either an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet or similar diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0% montmorillonite added at the expense of wheat bran. Each treatment was replicated six times with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per replicate. Feed intake declined (linear and quadratic effect, p<0.01) with increasing level of montmorillonite while feed conversion was improved (linear and quadratic effect, p<0.01). Daily gain was unaffected by dietary treatment. Plasma myeloperoxidase declined linearly (p = 0.03) with increasing dietary level of montmorillonite. Plasma malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were quadratically affected (p<0.01) by montmorillonite with increases observed for pigs fed the 0.5 and 1.0% levels which then declined for pigs fed the 2.5 and 5.0% treatments. In bone, the content of potassium, sodium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium were decreased (linear and quadratic effect, p<0.01) in response to an increase of dietary montmorillonite. These results suggest that dietary inclusion of montmorillonite at levels as high as 5.0% does not result in overt toxicity but could induce potential oxidative damage and reduce bone mineralization in pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 2009

Effects of Cordyceps militaris mycelia on rumen microbial fermentation were determined by measuring in vitro gas production, cellulose digestion and VFA concentrations. C. militaris mycelia was added to buffered rumen fluid with final concentrations of 0.00, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 g/L and incubation times were for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h. At all incubation times, the gas production showed a quadratic increase with the supplementation of C. militaris mycelia; maximum responses were seen with 0.25 g/L supplementation. However, the gas production was significantly lower for the 0.30 g/L supplementation than for the 0.25 g/L supplementation from 9 h to 72 h incubation. The cellulose filter paper (FP) digestion showed a quadratic increase, as did the gas production except at 3 h incubation. The concentration of total VFA was significantly increased by the supplementation of C. militaris mycelia compared with the control treatment; the highest response was also seen with 0.25 g/L supplementation. This was true for responses in the concentration of acetic and propionic acids. As opposed to other responses, the responses of pH to the supplementation of C. militaris mycelia showed a quadratic decrease from 3 h to 36 h incubation. In conclusion, C. militaris mycelia alter the mixed rumen microbial fermentation with increases in the production of gas and VFA, and cellulose FP digestion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1038-1042
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• 2009

Fifty-four cross-bred ((Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire)${\times}$Duroc) pigs (13.47${\pm}$0.03 kg average initial BW) were evaluated in a 42 d growth assay to determine the effects of the fermented soy product (FSP). The dietary treatments were: FSP 0 (corn-soybean basal diet), FSP 2.5 (FSP 0 amended with 2.5% FSP), and FSP 5 (FSP 0 amended with 5% FSP). The body weight at the end of the experiment increased linearly (p = 0.05) as the FSP levels in the diets increased. In addition, the ADG and G/F ratio also increased (linear effect, p = 0.06) as the levels of FSP increased. However, there was no effect of FSP on ADFI or DM digestibility (p>0.05). Furthermore, the N digestibility increased as the FSP levels increased (linear effect, p = 0.003), although the total protein concentration in the blood was not affected by FSP (p>0.05). Additionally, the albumin concentration was higher in pigs fed diets that contained 2.5% FSP than in pigs in the control group or the FSP 5 group (quadratic effect, p = 0.07). The creatinine concentrations were also evaluated at d 42 and found to be greater in pigs that received the FSP 2.5 diet (quadratic effect, p = 0.09). Moreover, the creatinine concentration increased linearly in response to FSP treatment (p = 0.09). Finally, although the BUN concentration on the final day of the experiment was greater in pigs that received the FSP 2.5 diet (quadratic effect, p = 0.10), there were no incremental differences in BUN concentrations among groups (p>0.05). Taken together, the results of this study indicate that feeding FSP to pigs during the late nursery phase improves growth performance and N digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1166-1172
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of liquid DL-methionine hydroxy analog free acid (DL-MHA) on growth performance and gastrointestinal conditions of piglets. One hundred and eighty crossbred barrow piglets (Large White${\times}$Landrace, body weight: $12.48{\pm}0.33kg$) were divided into three groups with ten replications of six piglets each. Piglets received DL-MHA in diet at a concentration of 0 (control group), 0.15%, or 0.24%. The results indicated that increasing the standardized ileal digestible (SID) of sulfur amino acids (SAA) to lysine (SID SAA:Lys) ratio by supplementation of DL-MHA tended to increase (quadratic; p<0.10) weight gain and ADG, and showed slightly greater (linear; p<0.10) gain:feed ratio. The pH in the diet and cecum linearly decreased (p<0.01), whereas pH in colon had a quadratic response (p<0.01) with increasing supplementation of DL-MHA. By greater supplementation of DL-MHA, the population of Lactobacillus spp. in rectum was likely to increase (quadratic; p<0.10), but Escherichia coli population in the diet was reduced (quadratic; p<0.05). Acetic acid concentration and total short-chain fatty acids in cecum linearly increased (p<0.05), whereas valeric acid in cecum quadratically increased (p<0.05) with increasing DL-MHA levels. Moreover, the villous height of the jejunum quadratically increased (p<0.01) as the supplementation of DL-MHA was increased. It is concluded that the addition of DL-MHA in diet improved the growth performance and the morphology of gastrointestinal tract of piglets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.677-686
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary wild-ginseng adventitious root meal on growth performance, blood characteristics and meat quality characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. Ninety six pigs[(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] with average initial body weight of 68.29±0.31kg were used in 70d growth trial. Dietary treatments included 1) CON(Basal diet), 2) WGR1(Basal diet+0.5% wild- ginseng adventitious root meal), 3) WGR2(Basal diet+1.0% wild-ginseng adventitious root meal) and 4) WGR3(Basal diet+1.5% wild-ginseng adventitious root meal). The pigs were allotted into four dietary treatments with six replicate pens and four pigs per pen in a completely randomized design. For the whole period, final body weight and ADG were increased in CON treatment compared to WGR3 treatment(Linear effect, P=0.005). In blood characteristics, red blood cell(RBC) was significantly increased in CON and WGR2 treatments compared to WGR1 treatment (Quadratic effect, P=0.019). WGR2 treatment resulted in higher white blood cell(WBC) than CON and WGR1 treatments(Linear effect, P=0.041). WBC difference was significantly improved in WGR2 treatment compared to other treatments (Linear effect, P=0.042). Total protein was increased in WGR2 treatment compared to CON treatment (Quadratic effect, P=0.011). In cholesterol concentration of blood, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantly different among treatments. In meet quality, pH in WGR1 treatment was higher than WGR3 treatment(Quadratic effect=0.022). Water holding capacity(WHC) was significantly increased in WGR2 treatment compared to WGR3 treatment(Quadratic effect, P=0.050).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2015

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Lycii fructus (LF) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU) mixture on growth performance, blood parameter, immune response and intestinal microflora in broiler. A total 750 1-d old ROSS 308 was randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 5 replicates during d 35 of the feeding trial. Two additional diets were prepared by adding 0.5 or 1.0% of LF and GU mixture to the basal diet. The experimental diets were fed on an ad libitum basis to the birds during 35 d. Results indicated that increasing inclusion level of LF and GU mixture in diets improved BW gain (quadratic, P<0.05) and improved feed conversion ratio (quadratic, P<0.05) of birds during to 0 to 21 d. Increasing inclusion level of LF and GU mixture in diets improved BW gain (linear and quadratic, P<0.05) of birds during to 0 to 35 d. The leukocyte concentrations were not affected by increasing inclusion level of LF and GU mixture in diets. Plasma IgG concentration was increased (linear, P<0.05) as the concentrations of LF and GU mixture in diets increased. The concentrations of Lactobacillus spp. in the ileal content of birds increased (linear, P<0.05), but those of Escherichia coli decreased (quadratic, P<0.01). These results suggest that dietary LF and GU mixture may be used as a functional ingredient to improve growth performance, plasma IgG and intestinal health of birds.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.29 no.6C
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• pp.801-814
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• 2004

In this paper, we propose a block adaptive binarization (BAB) using a modified quadratic filter (MQF) to binarize business card images acquired by personal digital assistant (PDA) cameras effectively. In the proposed method, a business card image is first partitioned into blocks of 8${\times}$8 and the blocks are then classified into character Hocks (CBs) and background blocks (BBs). Each classified CB is windowed with a 24${\times}$24 rectangular window centering around the CB and the windowed blocks are improved by the pre-processing filter MQF, in which the scheme of threshold selection in QF is modified. The 8${\times}$8 center block of the improved block is barbarized with the threshold selected in the MQF. A binary image is obtained tiling each binarized block in its original position. Experimental results show that the MQF and the BAB have much better effects on the performance of binarization compared to the QF and the global binarization (GB), respectively, for the test business card images acquired in a PDA. Also the proposed BAB using MQF gives binary images of much better quality, in which the characters appear much better clearly, over the conventional GB using QF. In addition, the binary images by the proposed BAB using MQF yields about 87.7% of character recognition rate so that about 32.0% performance improvement over those by the GB using QF yielding about 55.7% of character recognition rate using a commercial character recognition software.